Reviewer (text)
Anita Lock
Angus Cairns, a mischievous and quarrelsome brownie from the Enchanted Realm, is bound to the McGonagalls via a curse. But after losing the human that he served since she was a little girl, Angus is assigned to next young female in the family line, 10-year-old Alexandra (Alex) Carhart. Although Angus's job is to surreptitiously tidy up Alex's messy room, Alex discovers the belligerent brownie and the two surprisingly become friends. In the midst of their friendship, Alex's dad decides to quit his job to become a musician. The only problem is that his lyrics are absolutely dreadful --- a direct result of the curse. The curse can be reversed, but lining up everything needed to make it work before Alex's dad loses his job for good is easier said than done.
Award winning author of more than 100 books for children and young adults, Bruce Coville knows just the right elements to completely engage his audience. Coville's first person narrative in DIARY OF A MAD BROWNIE is unique in many respects. Interlacing the fantastical with reality and throwing in a whole bunch of comedy in the mix, Coville has created a colorful cast that ranges from evil (Queen of the Shadows) to sarcastic (Angus, Alex and Bubbles the cat) to clueless (Bennett and Dennis Carhart, Alex's brother and dad). Yet while Angus is regarded as the principal narrator, Coville has shaped his plot in such a way that all of his characters, both major and minor, play integral roles in the story's development. Using a journal entry format as its overarching design, Coville incorporates emails, texting and letters that provide a voice for each character.
Bruce Coville knows just the right elements to completely engage his audience.
Coville alternates the aforementioned formats with a slew of random documents that come from both the Enchanted Realm and earthly sides. Examples include brownie oaths and curse descriptions, Alex's homework and her dad's poetry. A master storyteller, Coville interweaves so many twists, turns and un-stereotypical scenes that he consistently keeps his readers clueless as to how his narratives will unfold. And to enhance his scenes, Coville joins forces with master artist Paul Kidby. Kidby's often-hilarious pencil renditions are imaginative and aptly capture Coville's character descriptions.
Another great addition to Coville's marvelous literary collection, DIARY OF A MAD BROWNIE is without a doubt a fun enchanting read from beginning to end.
Teaser
In the first hilarious Enchanted Files, Angus is a brownie. No, not the kind you eat! He’s a tiny magical creature that loves to do chores. Angus has just “inherited” a new human girl, Alex. To say that Alex is messy would be an understatement. She’s a total hurricane-like disaster --- and she likes it that way, thankyouverymuch! Living with each other isn’t easy but Angus and Alex soon learn there is a curse that binds them.
Promo
In the first hilarious Enchanted Files, Angus is a brownie. No, not the kind you eat! He’s a tiny magical creature that loves to do chores. Angus has just “inherited” a new human girl, Alex. To say that Alex is messy would be an understatement. She’s a total hurricane-like disaster --- and she likes it that way, thankyouverymuch! Living with each other isn’t easy but Angus and Alex soon learn there is a curse that binds them.
About the Book
In the first hilarious Enchanted Files, Angus is a brownie. No, not the kind you eat! He’s a tiny magical creature that loves to do chores. Angus has just “inherited” a new human girl, Alex. To say that Alex is messy would be an understatement. She’s a total hurricane-like disaster --- and she likes it that way, thankyouverymuch! Living with each other isn’t easy but Angus and Alex soon learn there is a curse that binds them. What’s worse, it threatens Alex’s family! Working together, Angus and Alex will set out to break the curse...without killing each other first...hopefully.
